MRSA Decolonization and the Eye: A Potential New Tool for Ophthalmologists

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause vision-threatening infections of the ocular surface, orbit, and periorbital structures. MRSA decolonization is a widespread technique employed outside of ophthalmology to reduce MRSA transmission and infection rates. Herein we explore whether decolonization protocols have a place in ophthalmology for combatting ocular MRSA infections.

Methods: We conducted a focused review of the MRSA decolonization literature using PubMed and Cochrane databases to identify key studies in ophthalmology and the broader medical literature.

Results: We summarize the relevance of the recent literature from an ophthalmic perspective, focusing on the clinical evidence supporting pre-operative MRSA decolonization. We also discuss current real-world decolonization practices, existing challenges, and propose recommendations for future opportunities to address these issues.

Conclusion: Incorporating pre-operative MRSA decolonization approaches discussed herein may offer a new frontier for enhancing the ophthalmic care of patients colonized with MRSA.

KEYWORDS:

• MRSA
• decolonization
• infection
• prophylaxis
• Surgical complications

Disclosure Statement

The following authors have no financial disclosures: Alex de Castro-Aberger, Jeremy B. Hatcher, Richard W. LaRue, Melanie Hingorani, Sean P. Donahue, Paul Sternberg. The following authors have financial disclosures: Christine Shieh has previously served as a consultant for GlaxoSmithKline and Louise Mawn serves as a speaker for Horizon. The authors attest that they meet the current ICMJE criteria for authorship.

Additional information

Funding

Vanderbilt Eye Institute is supported by an unrestricted departmental award from Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc, New York, New York, USA. The authors report no specific funding for this work.